Lab test · Hepatology
Total Protein with A/G Ratio
Blood protein, liver & nutrition
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
Blood protein, liver & nutrition
This test measures the total amount of protein in your blood and splits it into two main groups: albumin, made by the liver, and globulins, which include the antibodies that fight infection. It then gives the ratio of albumin to globulin (A/G ratio). Changes in these values can point to liver or kidney disease, nutrition problems, long-term inflammation or conditions affecting the immune system.
Why a doctor may order it
- As part of a general health check or liver function test
- To look into swelling, tiredness or unexplained weight loss
- To look for long-term infection, inflammation or immune conditions
- When a high globulin level needs further checks, for example for a bone marrow condition such as myeloma
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
You do not need to fast before a total protein test. Drink as you normally would, since being dehydrated can raise protein values, and keep taking your usual medicines unless advised otherwise.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- A small blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm at home by a trained collector, which takes a few minutes. Total protein, albumin and globulin are all worked out from this one sample.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
A low A/G ratio can mean that albumin is low, as in liver or kidney disease or poor nutrition, or that globulins are high, as in long-term infections, autoimmune diseases or some blood cancers such as myeloma. A high A/G ratio is less common and can reflect low globulin levels. A raised total protein can simply be due to dehydration. Your doctor will interpret the pattern with your other results and may order further tests, such as protein electrophoresis.
What's included
This test reports 4 measurements:
- Total protein
- Albumin
- Globulin
- A/G ratio
Related tests
- Serum AlbuminAlbumin is the main protein in the blood and is made by the liver.
- Liver Function Test (LFT)Liver function৳550
- Kidney Function Test (RFT)A kidney function test, also called a renal function test (RFT), is a group of blood tests that show how well your kidneys are filtering waste from the blood.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)A complete blood count looks at the three main types of cells in your blood: red blood cells, which carry oxygen; white blood cells, which fight infection; and platelets, which help blood to clot.
- Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)The ESR measures how quickly red blood cells settle to the bottom of a tall, thin tube over a set time.
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP), QuantitativeC-reactive protein (CRP) is a protein made by the liver in response to inflammation.
Questions people ask
What is globulin?
Globulins are a group of blood proteins that includes antibodies and proteins involved in transport and clotting. Globulin is usually worked out by subtracting albumin from total protein.
What does a low A/G ratio mean?
It means there is less albumin compared with globulin. This can come from low albumin, for example in liver or kidney disease, or from raised globulins, as in chronic inflammation or some immune conditions.
Can dehydration affect total protein?
Yes. When you are dehydrated, the blood is more concentrated, so total protein and albumin can look higher than they really are.
How much does a Total protein and A/G ratio test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳590, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the Total protein and A/G ratio test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the Total protein and A/G ratio report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.